LITMIR.BIZ

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first name?”

      “You can call me deputy.”

      He seemed momentarily startled, then threw his head back and laughed. So loudly that people turned and stared. Including Chloe and the other blond bridesmaid standing by the tent pole. Grace got the feeling they’d been watching her and Ben all along. They were probably wondering why he’d approached her. Grace wondered the same thing.

      She cleared her throat. “It’s Grace.”

      “Grace,” he repeated, and surprised her by offering his hand.

      His palm was rough against hers, which wasn’t exactly soft and tender, either. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Grace. The name suits you.”

      “Um...really not so much.”

      Ben’s brows lifted, just a tiny bit, as though she intrigued him. He’d be disappointed. If only she’d left when she had the chance.

      After studying her a moment, his attention drifted toward the house. He watched the guests gathered on the porch and then swept a gaze over the tent crowd. Most likely plotting an escape.

      “Lucky it didn’t rain today,” she murmured, searching the sky. A few clouds hovered but none threatened. “I heard Rachel pushed the date back, hoping for an outdoor wedding.”

      He said nothing, but she sensed his amusement at her feeble attempt to change the subject. She saw a band setting up on the stage and realized the oak planks in front of it served as a dance floor. No way she’d stick around for dancing. It would be just like Clarence to drag her up there with some cowboy. Not Ben, though. She imagined her uncle would give him a wide berth.

      Katy had joined her friends and they all were staring at Grace and Ben. The brunette looked sulky and Grace wondered what had happened between her and Ben.

      “Beautiful, aren’t they?” Ben murmured.

      Grace blinked. Talk about rude and unexpected. Not that he’d get a rise out of her. “They’re Rachel’s sorority sisters,” she said, turning back to him.

      He frowned. “Who?”

      “The bridesmaids. Rachel’s friends.”

      He followed her gaze, his frown deepening. With a short laugh, he looked at Grace. “I was referring to the Rockies.”

      “Oh.” She silently cursed herself and her fair skin, then gave the mountains her complete attention. “Yes, they are breathtaking.”

      “That snow melts and comes streaming all the way to the foothills,” he said, pointing. “Four-wheelers can make it clear to that ridge when it’s not too muddy. People go up just to see the wildflowers.”

      She squinted, trying to follow the direction of his finger. “Why am I not seeing a ridge?”

      “Come here.” He took her arm and stationed her in front of him. Placing a hand on her shoulder, he ducked down to her eye level, his cheek close to hers. “Right there,” he said, gesturing with the champagne flute. “See where the aspens are still bare?”

      She nodded, the movement causing her cheek to rub against his stubbled jaw. Her skin tingled. Not just at the point of contact, either, but all the way down her back.

      Grace didn’t like it. Didn’t like that she could so acutely feel the heat from his body. Hated that his touch had awoken a sudden yearning. She didn’t need the aggravation of wanting something she couldn’t have.

      She swallowed. “That’s pretty high up for a quad to go,” she said, moving her shoulder and shifting to the side.

      “You can’t be squeamish. On some of those trails, your tires are hugging the edge.” Ben finally lowered his hand. “It’s not as bad as it sounds. You tip over and sure, you’ll get beat up some, but you won’t slide all the way down. Eventually the trees will stop your fall.”

      That made her laugh. “So, you could break your arms and legs, and God knows what else. And likely total your four-wheeler. Explain to me how that’s not so bad.”

      His smile alone would make any sane woman run and hide. “Hell, if you put it that way...”

      “I heard you’re a stunt man, so your perspective might be skewed.”

      He shrugged. “Kids go up there all the time. Back in high school, Cole, Jesse, along with half the football team, we all used to go up there. We survived.”

      She sighed. “I miss those days. Being certain I knew everything was so comforting.”

      Eyes narrowed, Ben searched her face, giving her the feeling he’d taken her casual remark personally. “You’re not from the area,” he said finally.

      “I moved here two weeks ago.” She paused when she heard someone call his name. “I think you’re being summoned.” She nodded toward the tent.

      Ben turned. “Is that Trace?”

      “I believe so.” She hadn’t actually met the youngest McAllister brother, but no mistaking the resemblance to Cole and Jesse.

      “Jesus. He was thirteen when I left. Tall and skinny as a rail.” Ben lifted his hand in acknowledgment, the fondness in his gaze kind of sweet. “The kid talked horses and trucks nonstop. And girls. He was worried his brothers and I weren’t going to leave him any.”

      “Did you?”

      His slow smile was ridiculously sexy. “A few.”

      “They’re motioning for you to join them. Go ahead. I think they’re taking pictures.”

      “Come with me.”

      “No.” Grace shook her head, surprised he’d asked. “They’re your family. I’d feel awkward.”

      He hesitated as if he wanted to argue the point, but then just nodded. “Don’t go anywhere. Okay?”

      She simply smiled. She never made a promise she couldn’t keep.

       3

      BEN WASN’T IN a hurry to reach the group. He scanned the people surrounding Rachel and Matt, not keen on unexpectedly coming face-to-face with his mother. He’d see her soon, but not with everyone watching.

      “Get over here, Carter.” Trace held a pair of longnecks in one hand and motioned with the other.

      Ben hadn’t gone by Carter for a long time. His last name was Wolf now and had been for thirteen years, since he’d scraped together enough money to legally change it. Carter had never been his real name, anyway. Nor Hilda’s. She’d made it up after she’d run out on his father, whose name she refused to divulge.

      Jesse was standing beside Trace. Cole was there, too, along with a couple of women Ben didn’t recognize. Rachel was trying in vain to get everyone’s attention while an older man set up a camera.

      “Rachel got you in a tux, huh?” Ben extended his hand to Trace, who ignored it and gave him a hearty one-armed hug.

      “Man, it’s good to see you,” Trace said, his voice deeper now.

      “Yeah, it’s been a while,” Ben said casually, unprepared for the emotion washing over him. He’d been fairly tight with Cole and Jesse. They were close in age and shared many of the same interests. But with Trace, the bond was different.

      He’d been a baby when Ben moved to the Sundance. Trace had grown up thinking of Ben as his older brother, often confiding in him instead of Cole or Jesse. The day Ben had told him he was leaving, Trace had punched a door and broken his hand.

      Cole and Jesse joined them, only briefly. After the handshaking was done, the photographer asked them to move a few tables.

      Trace left the task to his older brothers and nodded at Ben’s empty flute. “You don’t have to drink that

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